08 June 2006

So, I thought I would post a quick one. It's taken me 15 minutes to get to this point of typing my words, from the initial click to log on. GRrrrrrr. So, I have pictures I taken.....but loading them on to the computer takes a conscious time commitment. It's like working with a 486 again. Turn it on, go have a coffee. Click a program, go make a snack. Type a few words, make a phone call. See the words appear, try to correct the spelling mistake, take your empy coffee cup to the sink while the computer thinks.
BAH!
Maybe my computer is PMSing too!
Hee.
Ah, well, kids are cute, wish I could show you. We're having fun, lots of stories to tell.
But, alas, I have to go vaccuum.

Bye!

08 May 2006

It takes a LONG time to post!

So here I was thinking that I could just write a quick note to update you all. But NO, it took me far too long to even load up the login page. Aaaaagh.
Paul got a birthday present. A new hard drive. My computer has not been the same since....hence the lack of updates. Theoretically, the computer should be even faster.
Guess it's not well versed with the theory. I'm a little sad that it's not working quite as it should.

You really should have seen his face when he got his birthday money from his sister (and parents). "Oh, I know what this is for. A hard drive!" Kindof like Nathan's face last night when we told him he had to sleep in the same room as his sister. "Oh Thank you, Mommy. I've wanted to for....ummmm.......for a long time really! Oh thank you!".
THEY didn't get to sleep until 11pm. And my computer is SSSSSSSSSSSSLLLOW. Ah well.

The reason that Nathan slept in Emily's room was that his room is entering the final stages of transformation. The peeling paint has been scraped away. The ceiling and walls are all primed. And now, we'll see just how much painting a stay-at-home mom can accomplish, in a day, without sitting the kids in front of the tv for hours and hours. He might sleep in Emily's room yet again tonight. I'll have to be ok with that.

Yup, I have been working on his room, wall by wall, for 2 months. I'm a little impatient to finish, but still have to pace it.

Now, it is Nathan's turn:
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllfrjyhytyy hy tf yhy yrt tufgerrewgwaevytvb4wetgvv r tg few fyerte fsgcdydf
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnhhgjgfhfhgnbfgjfhgfgfdghyuiyuiunbhui5tiyhgfbnjhujghgyhujygh ut
b mnbhngfnytghjhutyyuuug
nathan

Ok we're done.
Bye

31 March 2006

The tale of Sir Nathan, Princess Emily and King Mommy

Look, they are pre-"reading" their naptime stories! Awwww. A quiet moment in our day.
This pic belies the energy of the day. I gave Nathan a new toy. Oooh, he was thrilled. It was a a breastplate, a shield, a helmet and a sheathed sword - all plastic. He put it all on and went to the front mirror to admire himself. He declared that he looked "wonderful!" I agree. Then we had to figure out what knights did....we decided that they weren't supposed to kill people. Just have sword fights and win. And they could kill animals for lunch and supper.
Emily discovered the dressup box at this time and came over all decked out in a pink sunhat, chunky bracelets and a purse. We decided she must be princess Emily.

That's it for today. Just have to get to sewing those Easter outfits.
me

13 March 2006

Random thoughts




When we were coming back from a weekend at my parents' house, we stopped by "The Country Store" to pet the chicks.









This weekend, Aunt Ana decided to french braid Emily's hair. She looked beautiful.

















We've all been sick and today is my turn. Emily is on the second fever portion of this virus and Nathan is all better, but irritating. I'm just starting....I have both fevers to go through.
I've just finished two books - one on child-rearing (Romancing Your Child) and one on church (THe Passionate Church) . Yay! I'm reading again. Now I just have to finish At the Crossroads. And the complete Thomas collection.

Must go be ill.
me

25 February 2006

From the mind of a 4 year old...


...emerges Spider -Prince (the dog).

Scary or sweet? I'd vote for sweet.

toboggan!!

It snowed! And we went to the park, found a hill and Nathan and Paul went down. And up and down. Emily couldn't be convinced to join in the fun. So I pulled her around in her toboggan while Nathan scooted down the hill on his own. The only downside (hee) for him was losing his mittens on the way.
Emily went down, once with Daddy. She was too scared. Maybe next year for her.
Then Nathan and I log rolled around for a bit, made snow angels and just plain goofed around. My loving husband's only comment was "You're really snowy. You'll need to brush off before you get in the car." Hmmm. Fun guy.
(Well, yes, I did see him earlier, emerging from the trees at the top of the hill in a full out run with arms outstretched over his head, yelling, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh" as he galloped down the hill, toward Nathan who was at the bottom. I think it was a male victory whoop. But did look like he was having fun. )

It was a wonderful family time. No housework had been accomplished. There'll be another time for that.

13 February 2006

A new one.

Hiya!

I added a new post that I've been working on about our trip. Just a small tidbit, but it's something more!

Now we are trying to survive the winter. The actual winter with cold and wind chill and not quite enough snow to do anything with. I was surprised by the winter blues ( didn't see it coming, lovely mild winter and all) and spent much of last week trying to adjust. Opened curtains, sat in sunshine, and trekked the family out to Kortright conservation area.
The kids have been enjoying puzzles, colouring and play-doh.

Today, after I make some icing, we will decorate Valentine cookies.

Oh yes, and today is my spiritual birthday. That is, the 15th anniversary of a life-receiving decision to let Jesus do the leading and changing of me. Never would have made it this far without him.

Well, there is a small girl announcing a need for a diaper change. Does immediate biological need precede philosophy? Now, it just weaves together, and becomes part of an interesting day in the life of...me!

Amy

07 February 2006

Travelling - just Nathan and me!

Ahhhh, finally something exciting to report. It started very early on a Thursday morning. First I dragged myself out of bed. Then I dragged everyone else out of bed. We got ourselves into the car and on our way

to ...



the ....


airport!

Paul, though sad to miss the trip, was gracious enough to care for Emily while I took Nathan on a trip cross country.
OOOOOOOOOOH, it was FUN! We got to our gate, just in time to find out that it wasn't our gate and our flight (which was clear over on the other side of Terminal 3, of course) was delayed.
Undaunted, I hustled Nathan and our carry-on gear over there. Our plane was 2 hours delayed. "Oh. Now what do I do with a four year old in an airport for 2 hours. Oh, right, this is Nathan. We watch planes!" And we did. For 25 minutes. Then we went to the book store, had snacks, played with trucks, and read books until our plane arrived.
Just before we were called to board (yay for pre-boarding courtesies with small kids!), Nathan said, with a worried look on his face, "Mommy, I don't think I want to go on the plane. I don't want my ears to pop." "Too late now, honey. We're here and we have to go. It will be okay." They called us to board. Nathan asked if it was time to go to the gate. "Yes," I said. I didn't see his face until we got to the doorway of the gate. I looked and saw that face. You know, the face that thrills us all to the insides of our bones. Full of wonder and excitement. It filled me with wonder and excitement, too.
The actual flight was very pleasant. Nathan is a great traveller, and how could he not be, with a TV screen no more than a foot and a half from his face! I still managed to limit his viewing to an hour on the almost four hour flight. WHew! Besides, he needed time to open and enjoy his plane presents.
I really enjoyed the flight. I loved seeing the clouds from the other side and the fields of white cut through with dark lines that I assumed were roads. It was sunny, warm and very nice to get away.
Once we arrived, we were met by my friend Sarah. She and her husband Ryan were our hosts for our trip.
Oh, didn't I tell you where we were going?
Hee.

Calgary.

Brown. Very brown.

Calgary was, well....brown. I was shocked by the large expanses of dormant grass. I wasn't quite aware that Calgary was still prairie-land. The mountains, the little mountains way off in the distance were quite pretty. But they were really far away. Not to far for driving, just far for seeing.
Anyway, after we met Sarah at the airport, she whizzed us back to her house and scooted back to work for a meeting. Nathan attempted to nap and I re-organized the items in our suitcases. We didn't do much that first night but Nathan really enjoyed getting to know Sarah and Ryan a little better.

On Friday, we headed downtown. We discovered Aslan lying outside of City Hall, said "Hello," and went up to see Ryan's office. After Nathan explored Ryan's office, we meandered over to the C-train stop and went to the Science Centre.





My lasting memory of the Centre will be the coat hooks. No lockers. No need to cart our stuff around. Free coat hooks. Safe coat hooks. It was thrilling!!
Nathan's best memory of the morning was working a 'crane' with sponge blocks to transport. It was a very fun morning.
We then grabbed some lunch and met my longtime friend Bea at the Calgary Tower. Though there were magnificent views of the mountains and the river, Nathan most exciting moment was watching the train pass by and stop at the train yard. Such a boy! We headed back home, with Bea in tow, and whiled away the time at the Fish Creek bus stop.

There were lots of firsts for Nathan on this trip. First time on a plane, on a train, in a bus and on a mountain. Yes he likes it, Sam I am!







On Saturday, we travelled to Canmore and Banff. Now I can say I've been to Banff. It was a nifty tourist spot but I'm still a little scared of mountains. They were cold and grey and mockingly inviting. Yet beautiful.



Here we are! At a small waterfall, amidst the mountains. This spot was beautiful.

I know this is just a taste of our trip. More later, as I get the chance.

Amy

16 January 2006

just chattering

Ahhh, winter. A little chilly today, but sunny. We had a nice Christmas but things got a little busy the first couple of weeks of this year. It might be calming down. I've started sewing again, working on a coat for Emily. After Boxing Week sales proved fruitless, I decided to try make make her a 'Sunday' coat myself. The only negative of this whole situation is that I am becoming more aware of the limitations of my sewing machine. It doesn't actually do a basting stitch. Agh!
Nathan starts gymnastics again tonight. I hope he listens well. He still is wiggly and struggles to follow the routines after a while. It's exciting, though, to have something that he takes so well to.
Today, we played with marbles. What fun. We found many different containers to plop marbles in. I think Nathan suspected it might have been related to 'school'. Don't tell him!!

That's it for the first post of '06. More exciting news next time!

me

16 December 2005

Ok, I'm done the letter. Let's see if it prints out now.
Oh, I've tried to get this all done in time. It's a little frustrating that I've been working on this since early Nov. Oh well. THings just take longer I guess. This weekend seems busy, but only because I'm planning a dessert exchange on Sun night. Oy!! Haven't gotten as much done. Oh yes, and kids are sick. It just never ends. But I remember those irritating but true words: 'this too shall pass'. It all will. Such assurance Jesus can bring to us. A wave of deep Peace just permeated my being. He is so real.

Hugs to you!
me

15 December 2005

Cards.....done yet?

Hey there!
Ok, snowstorm is here. So, I'm working on Christmas correspondence, in lieu of posting something of significance. Here's hoping it can be finished....
Amy

12 December 2005

Pics, finally!

This was yesterday's after nap hair atop a grumpy girl. She posed compliantly...all the while grumbling. Lovely!















Look, she smiled!














Bye, Amy

06 December 2005

Today, we went to the church for the Precious Jewels Christmas Concert rehearsal. When we came back home, Nathan decided he was going to hold his own rehearsal and I, of course, would be doing sound. Funny kid.
Not much to say today, too tired out.

Amy

05 December 2005

Mondays are nice.

It's been a quiet day today. Paul came home for lunch. Nathan and I discussed what animals we might find in the city, in the desert and in cold places. Then he spent some time looking through a picture encyclopedia. I think the part he enjoyed the most was looking at the diagrams of human organs.

We had finished his first workbook today!He wasn't terribly thrilled with doing school but I was pleased with his abilities.

Yes, it's been a nice quiet Monday, hope it continues that way...
Amy

01 December 2005

Sorry!

Ok, so some of you are wondering what happened. Well, Nathan happened. He has entered the year of the four but most days I consider it the year of the foul temper. So, with birthdays and other life stuff, I have been overwhelmed and grumpy. Though I have had some 'encouragement' from other parents that Nathan is doing a typical 4 year old thing. Great.

Anyway, it's Christmas and I am glad because it gives me something else to concentrate on and pour some creativity into. Like Christmas cards. Don't worry, you'll get yours one day. When they are done. Actually, it's the Christmas letter that has to get done. But I'm updating my blog instead.

The thing with getting creative is that I can't ever get things done well, that is, at once. I start, some child needs help, I go back, realize I have to make supper...and try again the next day. I totally lose the creative flow. But I do find myself thrilled with even the smallest accomplishment of creativity.
Currently I'm thoroughly pleased with our Christmas tree, metal,plastic and all. It our very first artificial Christmas tree and it looks good. I'm so excited by it, that I haven't bothered to decorate it. It has some coloured LEDs and white twinkle lights and it looks beautiful.

One day I'll post some more pictures. Right now I'm going to go convince Emily it is naptime and she shall be sleeping.

Stop laughing. She will sleep.

Grumpy mommy signing off.
Amy

17 October 2005



Last week wednesday, we took Christina to Kitchener and met our friend Jen at a Burger King with a play area. Jen, Christina and I were housemates for a couple of years in university. Now Jen has 3, lives in London and is super-busy. I didn't get any pics of her this trip, but here are all the kids.







Christina's last night. We got silly, took some silly pictures, but here's a normal one. Ahem!












It was a great week. We miss her. Emily has been asking for "Tuna", constantly. Sometimes, she even asks for "Teena".
We had a great weekend. I can't believe that we got the back yard cleaned up for the fall, already! Now the challenge is to find a place to put things away in the house.
On Sunday, we saw the African Children's Choir at our church. Nathan was in the service with us and loved it. So we brought them home with us - as a CD and DVD!
Gotta go!
me

12 October 2005

He shows me He's there.

We left Friday to spend the weekend with my parents. It was a wonderful time. We all love being there...there's so much space!! We returned on Monday and picked up our friend Christina, who had just arrived from Turkey. The kids just love her. Good thing she likes them too!

Last week I was frantic. I couldn't find any record of Nathan's birth registration number. I needed it to renew his health card. I renewed mine and Emily's. It was all I could do.
Paul requested Nathan's birth certificate over the internet and we waited, as that would have the information we needed. It was to take 10 days. Two days later, I picked it up at the Purolator depot. Then yesterday when we went to the Health card office.
I had prepared Nathan for a long wait and agreed to read him a book while we waited. We walked in, got our number and found a seat. Then we immediately walked back down the entire length of the room to get to the wicket number that was ours. I didn't even get to sit down. We were back on the road less than half an hour from when we parked. The crazy thing was that Nathan was so utterly disappointed that I didn't get to read him a story. So I took them to Highland Farms and got them the shopping cart with the car attached to the front. Complete with two steering wheels, it more than made up for a lack of reading time! But throughout that time, I was reeling with how God provides just what I need, when I need it.

Thank you, Jesus.

07 October 2005

Catching up


On my birthday, we blew out candles.


Then, the very next day, I used one of my birthday presents - pancake forms. A little tricky, but worth the effort!


I just had to take this one of Daddy and daughter. They're so cute.

This weekend we are off to my parents' place. We are looking forwared to the space, the country air and the restfulness we usually experience there.

Ta-ta!
me.

05 October 2005

It's been a while

What a week has passed! "Busy, busy shockingly busy! You've no idea what I've had to do!"
We had people over for dinner a couple of nights, I did sound for a wedding, planned my birthday gathering, we went to a Kortright for the Green Energy Home Show, I produced last Sunday's services, Paul got a migraine, I crashed with exhaustion and had some girlfriends over last night for a birthday party. Along the way, I got a couple of cute pics.

Somebody didn't put away his sleeping clothes. Of course, that means Emily has to try them on.



















Ahha! Success!
Sort of.



















They said they were sleeping. Do they look like they are sleeping, to you?












One in the bed and said," Daddy can you come and sleep in my bed?"
The big one said, "Sure" and there were two in the bed.
Two in the bed and the little one said, "My turn!" and there were three in the bed.
Three in the bed and the little one said,
"Let's grin like silly people and pretend we're sleeping."
Ah, well, no. But maybe she was thinking it.
Then the Other One said, nothing and ran downstairs to get the camera. Then she took the picture. Better than words.


Hmmm. Do you see a theme? Mommy and Daddy wishes it were closer to reality. "Sleeping, sleeping, we rather be sleeping. You've some idea how tired we are!"

Ya-haa. Well, I should be napping.
Amy